Monsanto Company

Bp Chemicals Limited

James F Roth

Arnold Hershman

Frank E Paulik

Walter R Knox

John H Craddock

Robert G Schultz

This invention involves a process for the carbonylation of a carbonylatable reactant, e.g., an alkyl ester, a dialkyl ether or mixtures thereof by reacting the same with carbon monoxide. The process comprises effecting the carbonylation in the presence of a solution of a catalyst system containing a rhodium compound, an iodide and a lithium component at a temperature of from 50.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. at a carbon monoxide partial pressure of 1 psig to 15,000 psig. Hydrogen may also be present. The invention also concerns a carbonylation catalyst system effective for the addition of carbon monoxide to a carbonylatable reactant which comprises a solution containing as essential components a rhodium containing active component, an iodide and a lithium component.

Carbonylation process and catalyst

A catalyst system having high activity and selectivity to carbonylation products comprises a rhodium-containing catalytically active component and a halogen-containing promoter component, the halogen being selected from the group consisting of bromine, iodine, bromide compounds, and iodide compounds.

Carbonylation catalysts

Rhodium-containing carbonylation catalysts with halogen-containing

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of dicarboxylic acids, specifically by the reaction of non-vicinal glycols; halogen containing derivatives in which the OH radical of the glycol is substituted by Cl, Br, or I; ester derivatives of glycols; and cyclic ether derivatives of glycols; with carbon monoxide in the presence of catalyst compositions essentially comprising rhodium or iridium compounds and complexes, together with a halide promoter.

Production of dicarboxylic acids

The present invention relates to an improved one-step process for the preparation of propionic acid, specifically by the reaction of ethylene with carbon monoxide and water at mild pressure, in the presence of catalyst compositions essentially comprising critical proportions of rhodium components with a bromide promoter. Under these reaction conditions, the process is catalytic both with respect to the rhodium and the bromide components.

Production of propionic acid

The present invention relates to an improved one-step process for the preparation of propionic acid, specifically by the reaction of ethylene with carbon monoxide and water at mild pressure, in the presence of catalyst compositions essentially comprising critical proportions of iridium components with a bromide promoter. Under these reaction conditions, the process is catalytic both with respect to the iridium and the bromide components.

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Allentown, PA, United States of America

James F Roth